Wildflowers of a Late Spring

Spring arrived late in much of the American West, including Colorado, this year. While summer technically began on June 21, the flowers in the foothills of the Rockies think that it’s still spring.

Yesterday, July 1, my friend Sharon and I found many wildflowers in full bloom when we hiked in Golden Gate Canyon State Park, about 25 miles southwest of my Boulder apartment. We hiked up one of my favorite trails, the Horseshoe Trail to Frazer Meadow. By returning via the Mule Deer and Black Bear trails we made a loop.

Two Blanketflowers

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A Paintbrush

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Shooting Stars

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A Wild Rose and Bug

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A Wild Geranium

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I took more photos of Columbines than of any other flower. Since 1899 the Columbine has been our official state flower here in Colorado. This photo helps to explain why:

A Columbine, Colorado's State Flower

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Our destination, Frazer Meadow, is my favorite part of the park. Named for John Frazer, who settled there in 1868, the meadow was full of flowers yesterday.

Frazer Meadow and the Remains of John Frazer's Barn

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John Frazer May Have Used This Hay Rake; Sharon Tried

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A Profusion of Wild Irises Grow in Frazer Meadow

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The flowers attract butterflies.

A Swallowtail Butterfly

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A Different Swallowtail Species

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I only photographed one bird. But this was a beautiful woodpecker that I had never seen before, and Sibley says is uncommon.

A Red-Naped Sapsucker on an Aspen

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I easily could have missed spring in Colorado’s high country with all my travels during that season. But it waited for me.

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